Painting Hardtop to colormatch??
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,197
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Painting Hardtop to colormatch??
Can it be done? I'm doing a storm trooper theme on my Jk and i would like to have a color matched top! Can i get rid of the texture and use a spray gun and repaint it my self with a smooth finish? ( i have painting experience) or should i take it somewhere and get it done professionally? How much would somthing like that cost at a paint and body shop?
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,255
Likes: 11
From: Bellmawr, NJ
(I have only diy body work experience, I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL BODY GUY)
I'd call a local shop and ask about the auto cost for them to do it and then ask what procedures make it cost so much and intern they will unknowingly tell u the steps to do it urself (since u said YOU DO have body experience)
Just my two cents. Good luck!
I'd call a local shop and ask about the auto cost for them to do it and then ask what procedures make it cost so much and intern they will unknowingly tell u the steps to do it urself (since u said YOU DO have body experience)
Just my two cents. Good luck!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 401
Likes: 1
From: location location location
i rattle canned mine inside and out with bedliner, it came out awesome and i suck at painting 
If you have the know how and tools i say go for it! you can always have it pro-repaited later if you dont like it.
If you have the know how and tools i say go for it! you can always have it pro-repaited later if you dont like it.
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: CHICAGO, IL
I've been around and in the body shop and auto restoration industry for the majority of my life and i can tell you two things: don't try to do it yourself and don't go to maaco. i guarantee you the finish will fail and they won't warranty it. Any good shop will warranty their work for a lifetime on paint.
I painted my mirrors (which have the same texture as the top) and i can tell you that on something that large, you will be sanding the texture off for days. Literally. As far as color match goes, you will always have a color flop when substrates are different. The paint, whether solvent or waterborne, reacts differently to the substrate. Light also plays a big factor with substrate. Factory cars all have a flop on bumpers because they are plastic. I can guarantee you will have a flop (unless your car is black or a similar color). Im guessing any good shop would charge in the 1500 to 2000 range to do that type of labor intensive work. You might be better off buying an OEM one at that rate.
You can paint right over the texture, but the shop might not guarantee finish. I don't know what level of finish you're looking for, but the bottom line is know what you're getting from Maaco... It will be riddled with defects.
I painted my mirrors (which have the same texture as the top) and i can tell you that on something that large, you will be sanding the texture off for days. Literally. As far as color match goes, you will always have a color flop when substrates are different. The paint, whether solvent or waterborne, reacts differently to the substrate. Light also plays a big factor with substrate. Factory cars all have a flop on bumpers because they are plastic. I can guarantee you will have a flop (unless your car is black or a similar color). Im guessing any good shop would charge in the 1500 to 2000 range to do that type of labor intensive work. You might be better off buying an OEM one at that rate.
You can paint right over the texture, but the shop might not guarantee finish. I don't know what level of finish you're looking for, but the bottom line is know what you're getting from Maaco... It will be riddled with defects.
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Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,197
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
I've been around and in the body shop and auto restoration industry for the majority of my life and i can tell you two things: don't try to do it yourself and don't go to maaco. i guarantee you the finish will fail and they won't warranty it. Any good shop will warranty their work for a lifetime on paint.
I painted my mirrors (which have the same texture as the top) and i can tell you that on something that large, you will be sanding the texture off for days. Literally. As far as color match goes, you will always have a color flop when substrates are different. The paint, whether solvent or waterborne, reacts differently to the substrate. Light also plays a big factor with substrate. Factory cars all have a flop on bumpers because they are plastic. I can guarantee you will have a flop (unless your car is black or a similar color). Im guessing any good shop would charge in the 1500 to 2000 range to do that type of labor intensive work. You might be better off buying an OEM one at that rate.
You can paint right over the texture, but the shop might not guarantee finish. I don't know what level of finish you're looking for, but the bottom line is know what you're getting from Maaco... It will be riddled with defects.
I painted my mirrors (which have the same texture as the top) and i can tell you that on something that large, you will be sanding the texture off for days. Literally. As far as color match goes, you will always have a color flop when substrates are different. The paint, whether solvent or waterborne, reacts differently to the substrate. Light also plays a big factor with substrate. Factory cars all have a flop on bumpers because they are plastic. I can guarantee you will have a flop (unless your car is black or a similar color). Im guessing any good shop would charge in the 1500 to 2000 range to do that type of labor intensive work. You might be better off buying an OEM one at that rate.
You can paint right over the texture, but the shop might not guarantee finish. I don't know what level of finish you're looking for, but the bottom line is know what you're getting from Maaco... It will be riddled with defects.
